MrsGTRider

So, up and out of the gate at 6am this morning,  trying to beat the crowd.  2 other sleds beat us out, but we leap frogged with them most of the morning,  couple nice guys from Maine. Took the 5 and trails ranged early on from good to wind blown and drifted bad. A freezing fog was sticking to our visors making visibility very tough for a while. The sections of trails that had been groomed overnight were incredible with a couple inches of fresh on top, really great riding.  The ungroomed bumped up sections obviously not great, but they were short lived and gave us a taste of reality! Stayed on the 5 all the way to the 579 which ran us into the 587 and into Groomers clubhouse in Albertville.  Great lunch there, and pics for Chris to follow! Asked if the bearded ex-groomer was around, but no luck! From there we took a few orange trails to get back on 5 east which was in Incredible.  We did jump off left on the shortcut orange into L'Alverne, then onto Carleton-sur-mer where we'll spend night at Baie Blue. Another extremely fast paced day with great trails, shut the motors down at 3pm with 294 miles. Weather not looking promising for tomorrow as temps rising overnight to 35 in the morning. Will check maps in morning and plan the day. Very low snow here.
 

Kelly and I made a second trip to the Gaspe after getting frozen out a couple weeks back.  We clicked off 690 miles around the Gaspesie on fresh groomed trail for all but about 25 miles.  It is like catching the Holy Grail if you can make to loop all the way on freshly groomed trails. 
Started from Pointe a la Croix as usually, fresh groomed right out the door to past the cable bridge where Snowmaster 2112 caught up to us with his group. We chatted on the side of the trail then continued to the Albertville gas for breakfast. Met Snowmaster and his crew there again, but there were heading out to beat a storm on there way home.....we all know how that ended.  Thankfully no serious injuries. Kelly and I pulled out and took the local trail right before Lac Matepedia to St Adeleme for a break, lots of people there.  We then headed to Grande Nature, perfect trails till we got about 15mi before the turnoff above Cap Chat.  Good into Grande Nature. We had called about a week before and all that was left was a Scandinavian cabin. Have never stayed in one of those before, always up in the main building the cabins are awesome. The food there was incredible and the atmosphere is great. Left the next morning and had about another five or eight miles of rough stuff until we got to the Saint anne Des Monts turn off from there freshly groomed again right across the whole North Shore. Road through to the town of Gaspe and stayed the night at the Hotel Plante.  We went to supper with Northbound and Sandra it was a great evening. The next day we headed out again on freshly groomed trails all the way into Perce where Kelly wanted to get the iconic picture in front of the Rock, every snowmobiler has to do this at least once. In and out of there still on fresh groom trails we went through Chandler and got gas and stopped for lunch at the Chandler clubhouse, very busy there they were having drag races. Pulled out after lunch and sailed into New Richmond that evening, stayed at the Fin Gourmet. Next morning again out on freshly groomed trails and road back to the truck in Pointe-à-la-Croix.
Been riding in Quebec for 22 years and have never run so much freshly groomed trail before, the gods of grooming were smiling at us. Here is a few pics from our excellent adventure.
 

Plowking, we were also up there the same week,  we never make reservations and I looked up the Quebec school spring break week and it came up for May 6th week,  but found out it was the February 28th week,  so that did not help, but I have never seen so many snowobilers as I saw last week. We had to modify the trip according to where we could find a room. I  was told at a few places that not all the rooms were opened due to lack of staff! And the endless tours that were in the area did not help the situation. And finally talking with groups from Ontario and US states,  they mentioned little to no snow in their area,  so up north they went!

I am beginning to think the sport of snowmobiling is really just a fun way to go out to lunch.

Well, our last trip for the season has ended.  Yesterday we did a ride east on 5 to Relais Moulin.  A u-turn after a short break and down 571 to Squatec for gas and our new lunch stop Resto Chez Lelou.  It was packed with Quebec sleds.  I guess the locals know this place.  Then a direct ride 571, 544, 44, 85 back to RDL.
The trails this year had a late start but once the snow came, the clubs have been out grooming like crazy.  Thank you to all the groomers and volunteers that make this sport so enjoyable!  http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_drinks.gif
Everyone be safe over the summer and we hope to see you next season.
Jack & Sandi

Sandi and I have been following your posts and pics.  Great ride and great scenery.  A lot of trailers here at Universal, RDL.  Many of them heading out to Gaspe I'm sure.  The trails here have been excellent.  It is amazing how many miles of trails can be groomed each night.  Hats off to the groomers.
It is nearing spring and the road crossings and parking lots are showing some melt.
Jack & Sandi

After 30 plus years of riding out of and around the Lanaudiere region, finally pulled the trigger on The Gaspe!!  Thanks You for all the help & advice from this group and everything about the Gaspe is AWESOME!!!.  I do have a few observations & advise from my experience...  I did plan my trip counter clock wise and with my time allowed ( 1 week including travel) and adding 1 extra day for weather or snowmobile issues.  I'm not sure if it was the week I picked (2/25-3/4) or the new norm but I had a hard time getting rooms a week to 10 days in advance.  For instance I could not find any motel rooms, Airbnb's anything in Murdochville or the towns directly north for the night I was going to be up there...and it was a week night!!!  I decided to start in Mont Joli instead of Rimouski.  Just save a little trail time and allow for a slower more scenic approach.  I first and last night was at the Motel Mont Joli, WOW is the owner of that place fantastic!!! Not knowing if I would be able to stick to my schedule he "froze" my room for the night I planned to be back and the night after...Goody bag with a few drinks on arrival & return, someone on this site said he would hang on to your truck keys and come get you if you have trouble.  I didn't have trouble, but I asked and he said that is true...so I left my keys with him.  He did explain that his dining room has been closed since covid but he made us a dinner reservation at a place down the road and loaned us his truck to drive down...Coolest guy ever!!!  The hospitality at the other hotels we stayed at was great, rooms were great!  I thought the trails were all perfect for signage, maintenance, and grooming.  I share the sediment as a few that the trail from 595 to Murdochville was drifted and a little bumpy..very rideable and fun but you could see the wind and traffic took its toll on it.  With all the advice from this site I still missed the radar tower turn.  I didn't want to turn around, but I'm pretty sure I saw the entrance and just drove by it!!! 😂 I feel like the town of Perce could be marked a little better, with the popularity of that area the snowmobile tracks went everywhere.  We did find our way by luck up to the upper look outs, but we rode into the village & I'm pretty sure we ended up on private property.  We didn't get asked to leave, but the guy standing there didn't look thrilled to see us... This could be just have been my problem!!  We did have a hard time finding lunch stops.  I didn't really plan for that, but doing it again I will look in to that a little better.  I didn't get his name, but the owner of the Shell station right on the trail near the town of Gaspe spoke perfect English and was a pure delight to visit with.  Doesn't look like much of a place, but after visiting with him he really takes pride in the quality of his gas & knowledge of the area.  His place was near the bridge where the groomer went in the water, he gave us the story on that...We didn't have any trouble finding gas, but there are many more gas stops than the paper map or app show.  I'm sure you have to pay to be included on those platforms, but it's a good feeling knowing there are options.  As a victim of snowmobile theft in Canada in the early 2000's and riding with a guy who had an entire truck, trailer and snowmobile stolen around the same era it was nice to feel very safe around the loop.....I will definaly go back & do it again...maybe the other way!!! 

2 March 
Came home from Matane to solid 10” of snow since we left last Friday.
serious snow levels here in Shawinigan and surrounding areas. 
 
I think first winter ever they said Ville Trois Riveres has had more snowfall then Ville de Gaspe. We are ahead right now. 
 
 
 

Jim and Gemma,   Really enjoying your posts and pictures.  Glad your trip is going well.
I really miss our night out at a fine RDL restaurant. The trails are always smooth at the restaurant. lol
Safe travels.
mike
 

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

Some pics from Mark
 

Hi Jim & Gemma,
As always, very nice pics.  We are at RDL this week and the lot is full of trailers but not many snowmobilers.  I think most of them are at Gaspe.  Enjoy the ride.  The trails look beautiful.
Jack & Sandi

Day 6 March 1st
Alright, today was the last day of my big Gaspésie tour. I knew it was my biggest day of all, I was prepared mentally. I slept ok, there were Don's friends singing along with him from  other rooms at Copper last night. 😂

Poor Jacques, he's having problems, the employees aren't showing up for work. The day we arrived, his friend and him were doing rooms because two cleaning ladies didn't show up and this morning the truck driver was our waitress while the waitress was cooking for us. He also had to close the restaurant to people yesterday (no lunch) and accept only his guests due to lack of help. Not easy nowadays. 

We left around 8:10, there must have been at least 35 sleds parked at hotel Copper last night. We headed on the local trail to La Cache through the Chic Choc, one of my favorite. However it was very grey today couldn't see the landscape very much.
It was groomed a good part of the way until we caught up to the groomer about 30 km before La Cache. But the rest of it wasn't too bad. The way I remembered that trail from January  last year was with more twists and much narrower than what I rode on today. It went pretty fast. 

By 10:10 we were putting gas at La Cache. We said hello to everyone and we were on our way. 

Then, I was leading most of the way today, again, getting more experience in the front, being the first one facing the sleds coming our way, watching out.
At some point, I see two sleds stopped on the side, the first guy waved to slow down, I'm thinking there is a moose or something. But no, I kept moving forward but really slow. There it was, a guy towing another sled with no one on it. Oh and he was totally on my side and the sled being towed in the middle. 
After La Cache, according to the tracks it seemed like we were the first ones heading that way. Fresh groomed trail just for me since I'm in the front.
However, I've been studying these tracks on the ground heading the other way, and let me tell you, I guess I'm lucky to cross path with these sleds where it happens, because sometimes one corner after I look on the ground and there it is, all over my side. It would have been a crash.  It's one thing to be on your side, but when the others aren't, there is nothing you can do. It's scary to think about it. 

We did cross path with few sleds today.  Oh and we saw another coyote. 

Then we rejoin trail 5, got lunch at the relais St-Adelme by 1pm, the girl needs a break you know. 😁 Only 30 km left to go to the hotel which was rough a little. 

By 3:00 we were loading the sleds in the trailer and John and Mark showed up behind us. Had a nice visit outside catching up and we met again for dinner. Great time catching up with them. 

Little anecdote, in Shawinigan,  Don and I cheer on for the junior hockey team Cataractes. Lover likes to wear their t-Shirt which he had on today. As he was getting snacks from the vending machine, the bus from Moncton's team pulled up, the coach walked in and told Don, hey wrong shirt! 😂😂 He came to get me, because I taught to one of the players years ago, the goalie. So I stood there to catch up to him. He loves his life in the Junior hockey league. I was happy to see him. 
Overall, I had an amazing time in Gaspesie as always! Couldn't ask for better weather and better trails than that! Plus I have the best trail guide!
See you next time Gaspésie!

 

Looking at the app this morning showed the groomer had left Murdochville around 3AM and was already 20 miles west by 5:30, perfect timing! So we were off Eastward on 5, great trail all the way to Murdochville. Gassed up.
Then toward La Cache. Trail was very good, not perfect, hard to groom a solid base. Up in the peaks was like another planet, everything covered in white, quite a bit fluffier and no ice.
Was overcast and flurries, so not great for pictures up there.
Through La Cache, parking lot had a ton of sleds, sleds, so we blew past and up 595 again. Awesome rip. Stopped at a couple slopes that had natural snow wheels (big white snow dough its) that rolled themselves down the hills.
Gas at Saint Adelme with 150 miles on the tank, running on the low fuel light for 30 miles. Took 30 liters, so still had a gallon in there.
Then off to Matane, when rolling in to Quality Inn met up with Ice and Mrs Ice who just rolled and in too!  They were loading their sleds at the end of their trip. Will have supper with them later.
 
Not sure where tomorrows destination will be, will start plotting. Want to stay away from TQ5 as much as possible since its icier near the coast and everyone seems to take 5 :<)
 

Hardy, thats half the sandwich, halfway through eating the sandwich I remembered I didn’t get the picture yet 🤣

Awesomeness to go too!
 

A half hour or so ago

Skipped breakfast at Baie Bleu to beat the many groups to the trail. 
Off to 595 LaCache.  Great run, beautiful sunny day, smooth and fast. We were the first tracks on fresh groomed trail,for about 50 miles, sweet!
Homemade great turkey soup and a grilled cheese at La Cache. Very nice and dedicated people there, and the place is fixed up much nicer than the old days. Workers there from the reservation speak perfect English, one lady there lived in Nashua NH for a while, one was from New Brunswick, was a nice chat.
Then up 595, again first tracks on fresh groom. Manyntracks headed south, but not north, was strange. To St Paulin relay, which is closed down.  Great scenic rip, love it so much we may do it again tomorrow.  Only problem is the groomers drag in that section has a very deep and wide keel, made one heck of a rut that was hard to stay out of.
From there, 5 East was not bad, but as everyone says,starting around Cap Chat, it gets bumpy, ungroomed for way too long. 
 
Gas at La Martre unattended gas pump with 137 miles on the odo since La Cache gas and still had 2 bars on the 900 Ace gas gauge ;<)
The last 20 or so miles into MSP got better, and the hills in this area are not icy like we expected, so easy going.  The previous 40 miles beat us up badly, we needed that break!
As we rolled into Mr St Pierre around 4:30 the big groomer was just rolling out of town, hopefully heading west since we plan to re-ride that route on our way back westward.
 
We plan to stop at LaCache again tomorrow since we need some bonus miles because Matane is so close, only question is which way is better groomed? 5 West and down+back 595, or maybe we get lucky and Chic Chocs gets groomed tonight.
Will know more in the morning when the map is updated.
 
La Delice motel in MSP is the best, owner/operators Patrick and Julie will do anything for you, and their food is amazing!
They ended up joking that we got the “central NH” snowmobile package. Rooms, Smoked Chicken Wings, Smoked meat, soup. So good I asked and was granted 2 dozen wings and some smoked meat will be frozen and packaged for my saddlebags by morning to bring back home to NH.
 
If you go there, jokingly ask for the Central NH package, they’ll get a laugh out of that!

Feb 14 Day 1
Andyman, Ross, and I started from the Inter-Provincial in Point a la Croix, an overcast day. Did not do as many pics because of this the first few day. Ran from PALC to Cabano and stayed of course at the Royal.
Day 2
Left the Royal and had breakfast at Tourville.  From there off toward Quebec City to the shuttle.  Unfortunately the was an open river right before the Normindin so we pulled into the Comfort Inn at Levi's and had him pic us up there. From the time we called to unloading 60 minutes! Shuttle to Pont Rouge for the night.
Day 3
Woke up to fresh snow on out sleds, always a good sign.  Trails were good, stopped at Timmies for a quick coffee and warm up in LA Tuque, then on toward WIndigo.  Andyman took us on a side turkey trail past Duplussie on to the rest or right to the front door of WIndigo.
 
 
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Great pics Jim & Gemma!
Thanks for sharing. Glad you both got back to Quebec after your hiatus. 
Have a great trip!

JFYI he sings just fine without the jack!! 😅😅

2 room presidential suite at Copper tonight
 
 

Day 5 Tues Feb 28
You have no idea what a great night sleep can do to you. I'm ready for my day!!! 💪🏼

There were lots of sleds at Motel Rodeway last night. We walked next door for a breakfast at Tim Hortons. 
Off we went on the 5 to 597. The trails were smooth and I enjoyed riding the white highways. We stopped and discussed about going to the Perce rock, but decided to skip it. I've been there in the summer already. 
We continued on  and decided to stop to have a quick lunch at the snowmobile club instead of into town to encourage the relais in La Grande Riviere. The vegetables cream was unbelievable! 
I  like all the bridges, not always easy to go on and off them, like that one today was very icy to get on. Lover told me that with all the bridges they don't worry about the rivers being frozen or not which is a good point. They also need those bridges for the ATV in the summer, so win win! 

I truly enjoy the fast ride on the 597, it was both our first time on this new section since it was modified. Don said  it's much more open and wider than the previous trail. 
We saw two coyotes... at first I said, Oh look a dog! 😂😂 My first thought since we had seen people walking with their dogs on snowmobile trails before... not the best place but you know how it is. Yesterday and today we saw someone cross country skiing on the trail, I guess you never know what you'll see. 
 
In my trip so far I've seen a mouse, an American marten, deer and two coyotes today.